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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Scans and holidays

16 replies

TinyTigress · 27/06/2024 09:42

Hi all, wasn't sure whether to post this in conception or pregnancy. We're looking at TTC soon. We have a non-refundable holiday booked but depending on how long it takes to conceive, it may end up being that my 20 week scan is due whilst we're on holiday. 1st month trying would be fine but 2nd month would mean 20 week scan is when we're abroad and if dates stay the same, could even be my 12 week scan if we conceive on cycle 4. I don't really want to delay trying for another 4 months just in case and I know ovulation dates can change and TTC is a case of how long is a piece of string in terms of how long it takes, but I've been having pretty regular periods and ovulations (I track via BBT and CM) so if we did conceive in those months, it's likely scan would be due when we're not here. If it did happen, how much of an issue would it be in terms of late / early scans? First time trying so don't really know how likely it is scans are at the right time.

OP posts:

Orlahoping · 27/06/2024 09:54

Scans don't have to be bang on, so I wouldn't worry as long you aren't away for a long time. I was on a pre-booked holiday for the whole of my 12th week, so my 12 week scan will be at nearly 14 weeks. The hospital was ok with moving it.

mrsed1987 · 27/06/2024 09:56

How long are you away for? My 12 week scan was done at 13 weeks and 20 week scan nearly 21 weeks because those were what the hospital had free.

I do think you are thinking in to it a bit much though. I had a holiday booked when were ttc and the thought never crossed my mind

YouveGotAFastCar · 27/06/2024 09:57

How long are you going away for? The 12 week scan has to be done between 11 and 14 weeks, if you want the testing done. Outside of that and I think you’d have a different test to the usual measurements and bloods.

20 week scan doesn’t matter as much, it’s got a few weeks as a window too.

I wouldn’t stress about these things, honestly. It happens. If they clash, you can evaluate what to do then. It took me 6 months to conceive my first, and I’m coming up to a year of trying for my second. Just TTC and see what happens. Best of luck x

pianoquay · 27/06/2024 09:57

Absolutely fine, you can happily have '12 week scan' at 11-13 weeks and '20 week' scan 19-21 weeks, maybe even later with that one, I'm not sure there's a particular limit.
The first trimester scan can also be done later but ideally is within that window so they can do a certain type of screening, but if you miss it, they just do a different type of screening further down the line. Can elaborate more if you want just didn't want to make this an essay

As a side note I would just say, please please please do not put anything in your life on hold ever for TTC as we did and it took so much longer than we thought and missed the last couple of child free years we would have ever had as a couple as it was immensely stressful too

moosey89 · 27/06/2024 10:05

@TinyTigress I echo what others have said - the scan is unlikely to be at bang on 12 and 20 weeks anyway, and you have no idea how long it may take you to conceive. Please don't put any part of your life on hold (including starting TTC), you'll always be able to find a way to work around it if you do get pregnant. It took me 2.5 year, 6 months and 9 months years to get pregnant (all 3 were unfortunately losses) so I have learnt to just keep living life as it can be a long journey and you don't want to live everything by your cycle x

Original poster

TinyTigress · 27/06/2024 10:06

Whoops sorry should've said how long. Just away Monday to Saturday so it wouldn't be too late / early.

Chronic over thinker here so not surprised to here I'm overthinking it

@pianoquay does the different screening still cover all 3 syndromes or does it just test for Down syndrome?

OP posts:

Upinthenightagain · 27/06/2024 10:17

I think you’re putting the cart before the horse massively here.

Peonies12 · 27/06/2024 10:58

Honestly, you can't even think in this way, it could lead to disappointment! Impossible to plan anything related to TTC or pregnancy outcomes. Just TTC when you're ready and see what happens. Everything can be moved/changed if necessary. Scans are not usually bang on 12/20 weeks either mine were both 5-6 days later. And I rescheduled one easily. I personally wouldn't have wanted to go on holiday in first trimester, firstly as I had a miscarriage and it would have been awful to be away, and second pregnancy I've felt so appalling I couldn't have gone anywhere.

Original poster

TinyTigress · 27/06/2024 11:52

Thanks so much all. I think that's given me the reassurance to go for it and if it does happen quickly such that scans are "due" when we're away then it's not an issue.

OP posts:

Bells3032 · 27/06/2024 12:31

if it's only a week then go for it. it won't matter. scans are often a couple of weeks either side anyway.

With my first had to move my 20 week due to religious holidays! only down side with the 12 week is extra time to wait to tell people

pianoquay · 27/06/2024 12:53

TinyTigress · 27/06/2024 10:06

Whoops sorry should've said how long. Just away Monday to Saturday so it wouldn't be too late / early.

Chronic over thinker here so not surprised to here I'm overthinking it

@pianoquay does the different screening still cover all 3 syndromes or does it just test for Down syndrome?

It only covers Down syndrome after 14 weeks, but the anomaly scan (20 weeks) would pick up the other syndromes, it just means waiting until later. Such a slim chance you would be away for your scan (or unable to arrange it to next week well within timeframe) but worst case scenario you would just have the alternative screening

ShallWeGoToTheFirepit · 27/06/2024 12:56

I he up my don't see why this is a problem. Everything you're saying is hypothetical.

So what if a 20 week scan isn't bang on? What's the issue here?

You're not even pregnant yet. Stop fretting about it as if you're this anxious now, it's going to be a loooong 9 months when you do get pregnant. Chill out a bit.

Original poster

TinyTigress · 27/06/2024 13:04

ShallWeGoToTheFirepit · 27/06/2024 12:56

I he up my don't see why this is a problem. Everything you're saying is hypothetical.

So what if a 20 week scan isn't bang on? What's the issue here?

You're not even pregnant yet. Stop fretting about it as if you're this anxious now, it's going to be a loooong 9 months when you do get pregnant. Chill out a bit.

For the record I'm not super anxious about it. As a first timer I wasn't sure if it was important to be bang on 12 / 20 weeks. My sister in law and I were discussing her previous pregnancies (she's recently had her 2nd baby) and she seemed to think it was really important to have it bang on. I have a history of overthinking and her comments made me a little anxious, which is why I questioned it here to see if it was a reasonable concern or not. It seems it's not an issue and we're good to go 😊

Edited as posted too soon. I totally get what you mean about it being a long 9 months if I'm fretting but I'm really not, feel reassured after everyone's comments so thanks everyone for replying.

OP posts:

Original poster

TinyTigress · 27/06/2024 13:06

That makes sense, thanks @pianoquay.

OP posts:

ShallWeGoToTheFirepit · 27/06/2024 19:59

Good. Enjoy your holiday and best of luck TTC!

Bluebys · 27/06/2024 20:26

Thing is, even if you're sure of your dates, the likelihood is the NHS will change them at your 12 week scan, and that's what they'll use forever more! I was 100% certain of ovulation date, DTD date, even felt implantation in the middle of the night, AND even HSG levels matched DPOs perfectly - NHS said however we were four days ahead at the 12 week scan and that's what they've used for subsequent scans, due date, everything! Never mind that 'their' date is a medical impossibility! So book the holiday and just see what happens...

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